About two million years ago, a second gene network emerged that regulated social cooperation and self-direction. We could translate this as the capacity for self-control for mutual benefit.
The third and final network, which emerged 100,000 years ago, was (and continues to be) related to creative self-awareness.
The research study revealed that the oldest network of genes, for emotional reactivity , was almost identical in chimpanzees, Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
The unique 267 genes, which help differentiate Homo sapiens from chimpanzees and Neanderthals, are not protein-coding genes, but RNA regulatory genes.
With the use of gene-expression data, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and genetic markers based on AI techniques, the researchers were able to identify regions of the brain in which those 267 genes were overexpressed. The researchers say that these regions are overwhelmingly associated with human creativity, human self-awareness, and human wellbeing.